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"account already exists" message when I try to add my account back to my Mail program.

I suddenly started having problems sending and receiving emails from provider. They advised after several tries, to delete email account and then add it back. When I try to add it back it, Accounts (in or outside of Mail) tells me that the "account already exists" and won't add the account.


  • iMac (late 2015), MacOS Monterey V12.1, Mail v 15.0

-rob


iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Feb 4, 2022 9:12 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 4, 2022 12:53 PM

Was wondering is there somewhere else associated with my Mail program that utilizes my email address?


Yes. You're on the right track. Apple's "account already exists" message is an example of user interaction such that — while technically correct — is entirely unhelpful.


The solution is to "sign out" of every service that uses that email address. Those services are likely to include Contacts, FaceTime, Messages, Mail and others. You can use System Preferences > Internet Accounts to examine each one of the (possibly) many accounts you have that are already using that email address. So that's what it means by "already exists"... because it does. Of course it does. It's just not helpful because you want to add that already existing Account to Mail.


A quick method to rule out all the Apple services that rely upon that Account is to "sign out" of iCloud altogether. Then, add the email account again. Sign in to iCloud when prompted, and select the services you wish to use with that iCloud Account.


For reference,


Remove email accounts in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Add email accounts in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Similar questions

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 4, 2022 12:53 PM in response to rbDESIGN

Was wondering is there somewhere else associated with my Mail program that utilizes my email address?


Yes. You're on the right track. Apple's "account already exists" message is an example of user interaction such that — while technically correct — is entirely unhelpful.


The solution is to "sign out" of every service that uses that email address. Those services are likely to include Contacts, FaceTime, Messages, Mail and others. You can use System Preferences > Internet Accounts to examine each one of the (possibly) many accounts you have that are already using that email address. So that's what it means by "already exists"... because it does. Of course it does. It's just not helpful because you want to add that already existing Account to Mail.


A quick method to rule out all the Apple services that rely upon that Account is to "sign out" of iCloud altogether. Then, add the email account again. Sign in to iCloud when prompted, and select the services you wish to use with that iCloud Account.


For reference,


Remove email accounts in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Add email accounts in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Feb 4, 2022 11:14 AM in response to rbDESIGN

Please restart the computer in Safe Mode per the directions in the  How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support link.


Note: If you are using a wireless keyboard please either plug it in using the supplied Lightning cable that shipped with it. If you are using a legacy keyboard or a third-party keyboard that does not have re-charging abilities, please use any USB keyboard. Also note that a Safe Mode restart may require you to hold down the shift key for up to 5 minutes before the computer starts in Safe Mode. You will know it is in Safe Mode when you see “Safe Mode” in the upper right of the display.



Next, please restart normally and please retest.

"account already exists" message when I try to add my account back to my Mail program.

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